Christian Counseling Service -- Devotions

Remorse and repentance

Sunday, March 20, 2005

Matthew 26:69-75
Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. "You also were with Jesus of Galilee," she said.

But he denied it before them all. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said.

Then he went out to the gateway, where another girl saw him and said to the people there, "This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth."

He denied it again, with an oath: "I don't know the man!"

After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, "Surely you are one of them, for your accent gives you away.

Then he began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, "I don't know the man!"

Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: "Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times."

And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Hours before, Peter attested eternal loyalty to Jesus, who predicted his denials. Moments after, Jesus walked by and looked straight through Peter. Peter was devastated.

Judas felt much the same way. He was called out by Jesus too. Jesus looked inside him, knew him utterly, and then events took them by storm. There was nothing Judas could do. He returned the dirty money, he was remorseful, he wept bitterly.

Both felt the withering of their spirit, and both decided what to do next. Judas left the city, left the company of his brothers and in his isolation hung himself and died. Birds picked at his body. Peter returned to his community and then led them to the tomb and discovered it was empty. Later, when Jesus had risen and they were alone, Jesus asked Peter three times for his love. Peter gave it, all three times. His repentance (return to God, return to life) was complete and God made him a pillar of the church.

Both Peter and Judas felt remorse. But remorse is not the same thing as repentance. Judas did not turn back to his Source, as did Peter.* Judas could not get the spotlight off himself and simply surrender helplessly to his Father. He could not ask for forgiveness or allow God to forgive him. His sin was "just too great." Turning away from God, Judas allowed Satan to fill him up. No Holy Spirit, only evil spirits and soon, then, he died.

Christianity is a hospital for sinners. God does not expect my behavioral perfection and refuses to accept my puny self-righteousness based on a bar set far too low. All he wants from me is remorse and repentance, over and over and over again. That, I think I can do. Jesus does all the rest.

Lord there is nothing better than your forgiveness. And there is nothing you won't forgive. Free me from shame, and always let me come to you with my sin.

* a very interesting website that addresses Peter and Judas' response to their own sin:

http://www.biblebell.org/mbag/mailbagab.html

Devotions Archive

Remorse and repentance

Sunday, March 20, 2005